During December of 2009, I filed a complaint concerning an unconstitutional religious display at the Luzerne County Courthouse – this letter was sent.

The nativity scene and menorah were taken down along with the snowman behind the tree as evidenced in this press release. Because of this, I received a great deal of hate from many residents of Luzerne County.

If you’d like to read all of the media coverage and associated stories, feel free to browse through December 2009 of my blog.

I am writing to lament the responses Justin Vacula has been receiving from my fellow community members in the Wyoming Valley and surrounding areas.

I was raised in the Valley. I pride myself on the values that I learned from my family and community. Where are those values now?

I understand that people cherish their traditions; I understand that people will (and should) voice their personal opinions. But when we as a community ostracize one of our own and substitute reasonable and appropriate discourse with threats and degradation, we must reflect upon our actions.

Political and religious points of view aside, the way Justin Vacula has been treated by some people is shameful and inappropriate.

Due to recent court scandals, individuals from across the country are watching us. Will the community step up and respectfully agree/disagree with one of its own, demonstrating its willingness to debate controversial issues rationally?

Or will the hate mail and threats continue to dissolve the moral fiber of our community, establishing that zealotry trumps legitimate discourse?

I hope my community will choose reason over zeal, setting a nationwide example that we are good people with a solid ideology.

Posts navigation

Support

Connect

NEPA Freethought Society

The NEPA (Northeastern Pennsylvania) Freethought Society is a social, educational, activist, and philosophical coalition of atheists, agnostics, humanists, secularists, and skeptics predicated on support and community which upholds the separation of church and state and promotes critical thinking.
Join me for monthly meetings I host in the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre area!